Started sewing when daughter was born. Couldn't find what I wanted, did find a pattern, and decided that all designers in stores could get lost. She danced and skated, and I don't know how many outfits I did between competitions, shows and precision lines.
I still sew. What I can't find, I'll make. Other half wants a certain shirt that's out of fashion - OK, I'll make it. I do my own version of designer nightgowns for the kid. Same pattern and no 2 have been alike in over 20 years.
I used to make my own designer fabric by embroidering rows of a stitch on the sewing machine. This was before stabilizer and you used adding machine tape. I've still got the jacket that I made most of the fabric for.
I've quilted designs with an embroidery machine and made sweatshirts. I used a quilting stencil and outlined the sleeves. Quilters have asked how I did it. (used the bean stitch on a Pfaff). I still have that sweatshirt.